Global Health Observatory (GHO) data

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Water, sanitation and hygiene

In 2012, 89% of the world's population had some form of improved water supply, while 64% had access to basic sanitation facilities.

Improved drinking-water sources include piped water to the house or yard, public taps or standpipes, boreholes, protected dug wells, protected springs and rainwater collection. Improved sanitation facilities include flush or pour-flush toilets connected to a piped sewer system, septic tanks or pit latrines, and composting toilets.

Inadequate sanitation, hygiene or access to water increase the incidence of diarrhoeal diseases. The highest proportion of deaths and DALYs, as well as the highest absolute numbers, occur in countries with high mortality patterns, such as in Africa and parts of South-East Asia. Most diarrhoeal deaths in the world (88%) is caused by unsafe water, sanitation or hygiene.